By: Dan Podheiser, YawkeyTalkies Assistant Editor
The Patriots had an impressive showing in Week 1, spanking the Cincinnati Bengals 38-24. New England dominated the game from start to finish, and the offense did not skip a beat.
Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of how the Patriots performed in their win on Sunday.
Quarterbacks
Tom Brady picked up right where he left off from his stellar 2009 season, throwing for 258 yards and three touchdowns. Brady completed 71 percent of his passes for a 120.9 QB rating, and had little trouble finding any of his main targets. If he plays like that throughout the season, he’ll be an MVP candidate.
Grade: A
Runningbacks
Fred Taylor looked good early on and finished with 71 yards on 14 carries for an average of 5.1 yards per rush. Kevin Faulk picked up 23 yards on just three carries, but he dropped two easy wheel routes – one of which probably would have resulted in a touchdown. Faulk did finish with four catches for 47 yards, but those drops are very much unlike him.
Grade: B
Receivers/Tight Ends
As expected, the Pats’ passing game dominated. Wes Welker is clearly back, as he caught 8 catches for 64 yards and two TDs in his first game back [...]

By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
With the deadline to designate the franchise tags on players fast approaching, the New England Patriots gave that distinction to nose tackle Vince Wilfork.
The tag was non-exclusive, which allows teams to host Wilfork on a free agent visit and they can offer him a contract. If the Patriots don’t match it, then the team that signs Wilfork must compensate New England with two first-round draft picks.
If Wilfork signs the Patriots franchise tender, he will have a contract with the team for one year worth $7 million.
This is only the beginning though. The tag was more of a strategic move than it was a contract offer to Wilfork.
What both sides really want is a long-term deal.
Throughout the whole process Wilfork, and his wife Bianca (who is very twitter-happy about all of this), have said they want more than just a one-year franchise tag offer.
“That’s the one thing you play for, long-term security,’’ Wilfork told reporters in January. “That’s something we’re trying to get. I don’t want to be playing with one-year deals and franchise tags, because I’ll be right back at the same point I am right now.’’
Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft has expressed his interest in [...]